Distance Testing for Computer Based Exams

Instructors who want to offer Distance Testing to students, there are both paper-based testing options and computer-based options avaiable.

If computer-based Distance Testing via Blackboard is to be offered, one of the first things to do is to either:

1. Publish an exam to Blackboard and then convert it for Distance Testing delivery or
2. Convert an existing Bb exam for Distance Testing delivery.

It is important to keep the secure Lockdown browser exams and the Distance Testing exams separate. Both types of exams can contain identical content, however, the exams delivered in an ACC Testing Center will require the Respondus' secure Lockdown Browser while the proctored Distance Testing exams will require an instructor generated password.

For information on the ACC Paper-Based Distance Testing Program, see http://dl.austincc.edu/students/DistanceTesting.html.

Process for Publishing an exam file to Blackboard

If you currently have an exam in digital format (MS Word, Text, etc.) but do not have the exam in Blackboard, you will need to upload or publish your digital file to Blackboard using the Respondus Authoring Tool. The Respondus Authoring Tool is a desktop computer application that can be used not only to publish existing exam files to Blackboard but also to make existing Blackboard exams secure.

For information on how to obtain a copy of the Respondus Authoring Tool go to: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/respondus.

Once an exam is available in Blackboard, you will want to make 2 digital copies of that exam:

• One copy will be used for Distance Testing which will have an instructor generated password and other requirements specific to Distance Testing
• Another copy will have the Respondus Lockdown Browser setting attached to it for secure exams delivered via an ACC Testing Center. The Respondus Lockdown Browser exams are secure exams which can only be administered in an ACC Testing Center and are not available for the Distance Testing program.

Process for Converting an Existing Blackboard Exam to be Delivered via Distance Testing

In order to create an instructor generated password exam to be used for Distance Testing purposes outside of the greater Austin area, instructors need to convert an existing Bb exam to an exam which will be used exclusively for Distance Testing and OSD purposes.

These exams are very similiar to the ones offered via secured Lockdown Browser delivery via an ACC Testing Center, and there are many things an instructor can do to make his or her exam virtually secure. However, it should be noted that Distance Testing exams offered via Bb are not as secure as an exam delivered via the Respondus Lockdown Browser from an ACC Testing Center.

(Note: computer based Distance Testing exams prevent students from accessing the exam, however because the exam is accessed via a regular browser, there is still the potential for students to access the Internet. There are many ways though that an instructor can significantly reduce potential security risks such as: having an instructor generated password, setting time limits for the exam, verifying that the proctor will monitor the student during the exam, forcing completion of the exam, etc.)

To convert an existing Blackboard exam (secure or non-secure) to a Distance Testing exam, do the following:

I. Copy the Test

1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Select Test Manager from the Control Panel.
3. Select Export to the right of the exam you want.
   Note: if a Bb exam currently requires a secure Lockdown Browser, then it is recommended to make the exam unavailable and remove the "Requires Lockdown Browser" requirement before you copy or export it. View more information on converting or updating existing Bb exams.
4. Save the file on your computer.
5. Click on the Import button in the upper left corner of the Test Manager screen. This will create a copy of your existing secure exam.
6. Select Browse and import the exam file back into your Bb course.
7. Click Modify to the right of the imported exam.
   (Note: the imported exam will have the same name as your existing exam. The date to the right of the exam title will indicate which exam it is.)
8. Select Modify in the Name, Description, Instructions box at the top of the screen.
9. Type a new name in the Name field on the Test Information screen.
   (Note: it is recommended to add Distance Testing and OSD in the title so you can easily identify and differentiate the exam.)
10. Type any additional descriptions and instructions which are unique to this exam in the appropriate sections. (if applicable)
11. Click Submit.
12. Click OK.
    (Note: be sure to verify that all of your exam questions were successfully imported or copied).
13. Click OK on the Test Manager screen.

II. Add the Distance Testing/OSD exam to a Bb Content Area Folder

1. Select the Content Area folder from the Control Panel where you want to deliver the new exam.
2. Select the + Test icon located in the upper left of the screen.
3. Select the exam from the list provided on Add Test screen.
4. Click Submit and OK.
5. Select the Modify Test Options link.
6. Select Yes for Open Test in New Window.
7. Select Yes for the Make the Link Available option in the Test
   Availability section (#2).
8. Check the Force Completion box.
9. Check the Password box and type a password in the text box provided. This is the password you will provide to the DL office which will then be forwarded to the exam proctor.
   
10. To set a date range, check the Display After and Display Until boxes and select the appropriate dates and times for the exam (if applicable). (Note: if you specify a date range, you must communicate this information to the DL office also.)
11. Click Submit and OK.

III. Verify that the exam works correctly

1. Verify that the exam is working correctly by selecting it from the course content area, click OK from the Begin exam screen.
2. Type your password in the Enter Password text box
3. Click Submit. (Note: if the exam is performing correctly, your test will open and all of your questions will be displayed)
4. Click OK to submit your exam.

IV. Provide the exam information to the DL Office and to Students

1. Provide Distance Learning with information by filling out the DT Request and Transmittal Form.. You can also forward your instructor password(s) and instructcions to Clark Peterson at cpeterso@austincc.edu .
2. Notify your OSD or Distance Testing student the exam is available and suggest that they work through OSD or DL to make testing arrangements. Provide any necessary exam instructions.